The Underdog Mentality

Goalkeeper Tanner Ijams has helped make Washington Women’s Soccer the surprise of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Soccer season. After being projected to finish ninth in the Big Ten preseason poll, the Huskies sit at the top of the conference standings with a 6-0-2 Big Ten record. They took down ranked opponents UCLA (No. 4), USC (No. 15), and Ohio State (No. 22). 

Most recently, Ijams made a diving, penalty kick save in the final minutes of Washington’s game against the Buckeyes to solidify its Big Ten lead and (finally) get the Huskies into the rankings (No. 17). We met with Ijams to talk about that moment, Washington’s underdog mentality, and their approach this season. 

Host Andrew McDevitt: Alright, so Tanner, Washington Women’s Soccer is off to a tremendous start and the last team undefeated in conference play. What is it that's been clicking thus far for this squad? 

Tanner Ijams : Honestly, I think at the beginning of the season we came into it just thinking, “Hey, we're going to stay together as a unit, we're going to ride out the wins, keep momentum.” We've done an amazing job. 

I think it started last year with building chemistry and staying [together] as a team in the offseason and keeping our bonding up. It prepared us really well for this season. 

I think what's been clicking is the fact that we're so tight with each other on and off field. 

Three straight shutouts, and for you specifically, seven clean sheets on the season. You went from last year, waiting for your turn, to now being such a huge impact [player] on this team. What has that been like for you throughout the season? 

It's honestly been crazy, thinking about last year, my role, and how it's changed so significantly. I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I've had. 

And in terms of the shutouts, I have to give so much credit to my backline. We've been competing as a unit in practice and in games. I've had very few shots to handle in the season overall, and that's thanks to an amazing defense and a collective unit at the top of the field. 

Our coach likes to say that our whole team is defenders, whether it's the forwards or the midfielders or the defenders or me, so I have to give credit to the whole field in front of me. 

You say that you haven't been called on much, but in this most recent game against Ohio State, you had a game-winning save on a PK to keep Washington in first place in the Big Ten. Do you like facing PKs, or is that a nervous situation? 

I love PKs. They're my favorite, probably my favorite part of the game overall. A lot of people think I'm crazy for that. But honestly, going into this one and going into every PK in general, there's really not a lot of pressure on you. 

They're supposed to score their PK, so if you save it, it's huge.  

Going into this one, the last minute of the game, I'm not thinking, “Oh, I have to save this or we're gonna tie the game.” I'm thinking, “Oh, this forward needs to make this PK, or they're gonna lose the game.” 

It's really just reframing it and having confidence going into it. There was not a moment in that entire sequence where I thought she was gonna score that. 

Washington was picked to finish ninth in the Big Ten preseason polls. Now you’re at the top of the league. Was that talked about? That a lot of people were not expecting you guys to be where you're at now? 

I think the fact that people haven't really had a lot of confidence in us as a team has been one of our main driving forces. We really love the underdog mentality. The fact that so many people underestimated us and what we could do really just pushed us to show everyone who we were and what we were capable of. 

I don’t know what people were watching, because last season, you won an NCAA Tournament game on the road, and it seemed like PKs were a bit of Washington’s thing. 

Yeah, Mia was an absolute beast and a baller in goal, so we definitely take a lot of pride in PKs as a unit. 

You mentioned Mia. This Thursday night, big game for you. You're gonna be celebrating her and really doing your part in helping battle cancer. What has Mia been like for you as a fellow keeper this season and as a big part of the team, despite not being on the pitch? 

It's amazing. She's had such an impact on this team, even being on the sidelines. She's been showing up for us so often, and she's probably been my biggest inspiration going into this season. We’re doing everything for her, whether it's us wearing the bows or just orange in general. Everything we do, we always tie back to Mia and making her proud. 

I base a lot of my game on her. I watch her film even now from last year because she's just such an amazing keeper. 

Your head coach, Nicole Van Dyke, is very defense-oriented, goalkeeper-oriented. What has that meant for your development at Washington? 

It's been amazing. We have so many of the most amazing forwards in the country... and the ability to practice defending against such top-tier forwards has prepared us for games and the Big Ten forwards that we face throughout the season. 

Two more regular season home games for you before one final away game heading into postseason play. What do you need to do to ensure that there's still a zero in that middle column as you head into the postseason? 

We want to keep that record clean in terms of the losses. We take a lot of pride in getting shutouts, so I think defense [needs to stay] locked in throughout all of it. We have some really good things to play for, obviously the Minnesota match – Mia's game – and then Sunday is senior night, and then Oregon, obviously that's just our rival. 

We have a lot of really good things to motivate us and play for in these upcoming games. 

Rapid fire for you. Who was your favorite athlete when you were growing up? 

I have to give that to Hope Solo. I’ve been a keeper since I was probably 6 years old, and she's been the person that I look up to most in that sense. 

Favorite spot on Washington's campus? 

Husky Soccer Stadium. 

Favorite Big Ten away stadium? 

That is a hard one. I really liked USC’s brand-new stadium, new facilities, new locker room. It was a really good vibe, and then to be able to win on that field felt really good. 

Favorite postgame meal? 

I have to give that to Penn State. When we went, before the game, our coach promised us Cold Stone [Creamery] if we won. Then we obviously got that win, so we went straight to Cold Stone. That was just a fun experience. 

Love that dessert is always the best option. What's your biggest soccer ick? 

This is not as common anymore, but when girls used to play with their hair down. I just can't. I don't understand. I feel like it would be in your face. I have long hair. I always wore a headband. 

If something goes wrong at your apartment, which teammate are you most likely to call for tips to fix it? 

Lucy [Newlin], 100%. Team mom, always there for us when we need her. Easy answer. 

Favorite memory this season thus far? 

Definitely the PK [against Ohio State]. That was honestly the biggest moment for me, and having my team there to celebrate was really special. 

What is the victory song that you guys are always singing? It’s stuck in my head! 

We've gotten to play that one a few times recently. “Say who? Say what? Say who, say what? Dogs in the house.” 

Thank you so much. Good luck the rest of the way, and I appreciate you giving me a little bit of time here.  

Of course, thank you so much. 

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